Steve Ballmer Takes Over Ownership of Los Angeles Clippers

Donald Sterling’s ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers came to an end Tuesday when Steve Ballmer, the billlionaire former CEO of Microsoft, closed on a $2 billion purchase of the team.

The NBA confirmed the transaction in a short statement. The league said that the deal had closed after a California court confirmed the authority of Sterling’s wife, Shelly, to sell the team on behalf of a family trust. Sterling was recorded in April telling an ex-girlfriend not to bring black people to Clippers games. The NBA forced the sale of the team. Ballmer said in a statement: “Clipper fans are so amazing. They have remained fiercely loyal to our franchise through some extraordinary times. I will be hard core in giving the team, our great coach, staff and players the support they need to do their best work on the court.”